New Marc GT to make World Challenge Australia debut
Geoff Taunton will drive a brand-new Australian-made Marc GT at Phillip Island this weekend as part of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS grid.
The car will run in the Invitational category, which allows for non-GT3 homologated vehicles to compete at each round.
“It’s taken a couple of years to build up, but it’s the best of the best, it’s just a magnificent car,” Taunton said. “We have a really reliable engine, a 6.2L LS from Chevrolet performance out of the United States, our amazing tuning man has made it state-of-the-art and full of the latest IT technology.
“The whole car besides the bare engine is made in Australia, and I am very proud of that. I am a very patriotic man, I am very proud that I have designed a car that is made In Australia, is extremely fast and is the best value for money.”
The car’s competitive debut follows a successful test a few weeks ago.
“It went well, we had our usual couple of teething problems, real weird technical problems, but nothing we couldn’t work with,” he continued. “We have done a lot of testing with the car of course, when you’re talking about pace you are getting the absolute best quality – we have perfectionists at our team so it’s always the best of the best.
“I have the best people around me, every person that works with me is just magnificent, you are dealing with the best people. It makes my job very good.”
Strong field for World Challenge Australia trip to Phillip Island
A 21-car entry list has been revealed for the pair of 60-minute World Challenge Australia sprint races at Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit in Victoria this weekend.
Current championship leader Liam Talbot will reunite with regular co-driver Fraser Ross at Phillip Island aboard their Shannons Insurance Audi R8, as he looks to extend his lead.
For the race, returnees to the field include the Wall Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 of Adrian Dietz and David Wall and the Grove Racing Porsche 911 GT3R of father-son team, Stephen and Brenton Grove.
Other additions include the 2023 championship debut of the Melbourne Performance Centre-entered Audi R8 to be driven by Andrew Fawcett and Dylan O’Keeffe.
Dutton Garage’s George Nakas joins the field in his Audi R8 LMS, while Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport adds a second car, a brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Chris Batzios and Sam Brabham.
In the trophy class, Perth winner Renee Gracie will have competition in the form of Tigani Motorsport’s Paul Lucchitti, who has entered his Audi R8 LMS Ultra.
And two MARC Cars Australia entries will compete in the Invitational Class, including the Australian debut of the aforementioned ‘Marc GT’ racer in the hands of Geoff Taunton. Darren Currie will drive a Marc II Mustang.
Missing from the Phillip Island grid are the pair of Johor Motor Racing / Triple Eight Mercedes AMG GT3 entries, which are missing the event due to a clash with the World Challenge Asia opener.
Grasser to return to ADAC GT
Team to field one Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. Debut for Benjamin Hites from Chile. Lamborghini works driver Marco Mapelli to race in the ADAC GT Masters again in 2023.
Austrian team Grasser Racing will return to ADAC GT Masters this season with a brand-new Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, adding to its previously confirmed programme in ADAC’s other major GT3 championship, DTM.
The team will contest every race this season, with Benjamin Hites from Chile and Italian Lamborghini works driver Marco Mapelli.
“The return to the ADAC GT Masters is an affair of the heart for us. As a team, we took our first steps in GT racing here and have been through all the highs and lows. As the organiser of the DTM and the ADAC GT Masters, the ADAC has managed to establish positive synergies, making it possible to efficiently plan involvement in both series,” says team principal Gottfried Grasser.
McLaren signs long-term deal with Ricardo
McLaren Automotive has announced a multi-year partnership with engine supplier Ricardo to manufacture its next-generation V8 power unit as part of a long-term investment deal.
Designed in-house by McLaren’s powertrain team, the new high-performance V8 engine will power the next generation of lightweight, high-performance hybrid supercars as part of the company’s ‘Future of Performance’ strategy.
The agreement sees a continuation of the long-term relationship between the two UK-based companies, with Ricardo building both the V6 and V8 engines that will power McLaren’s existing and future high-performance hybrid supercars.
Since the debut of the 12C in 2011, Ricardo has produced around 34,000 McLaren powertrains at its purpose-built assembly facility at Shoreham-by-Sea.
The agreement ensures Ricardo will supply both hybrid and non-hybrid variants and, together with McLaren, make further significant investments in the high-performance engine production facility at Shoreham.
Kessel Racing Le Mans colours revealed
Kei Cozzolino has revealed the livery for the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari 488 GTE that will compete in the GTE Am class at the Le Mans 24 Hours next month.
Thrilled to announce I’ll race in the 100th #LeMans24 🏁🚗 this June w/ Kessel Racing in car 74, Ferrari 488 GTE! My 3rd time participating & grateful to my team. Also racing in Michelin Le Mans Cup w/ AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3! 🏆 Busy weekend ahead, but I’ll give it my all!… pic.twitter.com/z17DUtM8Cr
— Kei Cozzolino (@keicozzolino) May 6, 2023
Images courtesy of World Challenge Australia, Marc GT, ADAC GT
